*FAN SUBMISSION by Sean Modrow of Lake Worth, FL.*
There is no question about who the best two players are in today’s NBA; LeBron James and Kevin Durant are by far the most talented players in the entire league. It is only fitting that James and Durant play the same position and are often matched-up against each other one-on-one. Both men are the undisputed leaders of their respective teams.
In contrast, LeBron is 28-years-old, while Kevin Durant is only 24-years-old. This has led many, including myself, to ask the question: Does Kevin Durant have a higher ceiling than LeBron James? At this point, I feel that this is more of an opinion rather than a clear-cut fact; both players are incredible scorers, but they each have their own personal method of racking-up those points.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
LeBron has transformed his game by implementing an array of low post shots into his offensive repertoire, largely a result of the time he spent during the 2011 off-season working under the tutelage of NBA Hall of Famer, Hakeen Olajuwon. Durant, however, is more of a perimeter scorer rather than a dominant inside scorer. Despite the contrast in the primary scoring methods of Durant and James, they are, in my opinion, equally gifted scorers. Some have argued that Durant – because of his excellent shooting stroke – is a more versatile scorer than LeBron. But right now there is one glaring difference between these two NBA superstars: Their ability to defend both in the low post and the perimeter.
LeBron is by far the superior defender at this point, but that is not to say that Durant is incapable of becoming the lock-down defender that James is. LeBron is a perennial, first-team, all-defensive selection, and that is not something that Kevin Durant has accomplished quite yet in his career. LeBron also holds a distinct advantage in the area of facilitating his team’s offense, while James is the unofficial initiator of the Miami Heat’s offense – his court vision is absolutely incredible. Lebron averages an impressive 7-assists per game along with 8-rebounds. This makes LeBron the more complete player in my opinion.
Durant has been criticized by many for not displaying the strong finishing and passing abilities that Lebron showcases on a nightly basis, but I feel that this criticism of Durant is unfair. It comes down to each players’ specific role within their respective teams. Durant is asked to score 30-points every night, and the role of facilitating usually falls into the hands of his explosive teammate Russell Westbrook. However, in the case of James, he is not asked to carry the scoring load of his team on his own. Due to Miami’s lack of a true facilitating point-guard, LeBron is the primary ball handler of the Heat’s offense. Statistically, Durant and James are virtually equal in the area of rebounding; both players display a tremendous commitment to improving their game and both have showed growth in each season of their respective careers.
One thing is certain though: LeBron James and Kevin Durant are destined for the Hall of Fame. There is no sense in speculating whether Kevin Durant has the potential to one day surpass LeBron James. We should just sit back and enjoy the privilege of watching these two superstars showcase their incredible talents.
